Costa Rica stuns Italy, secures spot in next round of World Cup

RECIFE, Brazil — Costa Rica followed up its surprise win over Uruguay with another World Cup stunner on Friday, beating four-time champion Italy 1-0 to secure a spot in the next round and eliminate England in the process.

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By The Associated Press

recordonline.com

By The Associated Press

Posted Jun. 20, 2014 at 11:05 PM
Updated Jun 21, 2014 at 12:32 AM

By The Associated Press

Posted Jun. 20, 2014 at 11:05 PM
Updated Jun 21, 2014 at 12:32 AM

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RECIFE, Brazil — Costa Rica followed up its surprise win over Uruguay with another World Cup stunner on Friday, beating four-time champion Italy 1-0 to secure a spot in the next round and eliminate England in the process.

Costa Rica captain Bryan Ruiz gave his side the lead in the 44th minute, heading in off the underside of the crossbar following a cross from Junior Diaz. Goal-line technology was used to show that the ball bounced down and in after hitting the bar.

There was a frenetic end to the first half, as moments before Ruiz's goal Costa Rica had a penalty appeal waved away when striker Joel Campbell was bundled over by Giorgio Chiellini.

Costa Rica leads Group D with six points, while Italy and Uruguay have three each before Tuesday's showdown. England has zero points after losing to Italy and Uruguay.

So after entering the tournament as an expected underdog in a group featuring three former world champions, Costa Rica is now on top.

SALVADOR, Brazil — Forwards Olivier Giroud and Karim Benzema each scored one goal and created another as a rampant France blew away Switzerland 5-2 to take control of Group E and all but seal a place in the next round.

Giroud and Blasie Matuidi scored a minute apart and Mathieu Valbuena added another to give France a 3-0 halftime lead.

Benzema made up for a first-half penalty miss with a poacher's finish in the 67th, and then turned provider for Moussa Sissoko, who made it 5-0 with a neat side-footed effort in the 73rd.

Switzerland pulled two consolation goals back as Blerim Dzemaili scored with a free kick in the 81st and Granit Xhaka slotted in the second in the 87th.

CURITIBA, Brazil — Ecuador forward Enner Valencia scored twice in a 2-1 comeback victory over Honduras that kept his team in contention at the World Cup.

Ecuador moved into the second spot in Group E with a match remaining against group-leading France, which has had two dominating wins.

Honduras took the lead in the 31st minute with its first goal at the World Cup in 32 years when Carlo Costly latched onto a long ball following a mistake from Ecuador defender Jorge Guagua.

Valencia responded three minutes later, tapping in from close range.

He scored the winner in the 65th minute when he out-jumped the defense to head home a free kick from Walter Ayovi. Ecuador lost its opening match 2-1 to Switzerland, but edged ahead of the Swiss on goal difference.